Kaija was deep asleep when a hand suddenly clamped tightly over her mouth.
Her entire body jolted violently.
At the same time, someone grabbed her shoulder and shook her carefully but urgently.
"Kaija, wake up."
The familiar voice cut through the haze of sleep instantly.
Her eyes flew open.
For half a second, instinct screamed at her to attack.
But the silhouette leaning over her in the darkness was already painfully recognizable.
Juho.
Instead of screaming, Kaija frowned sleepily and pushed his hand off her mouth.
"Please don't tell me you came here for the balm at this hour," she muttered groggily, blinking at his face in the dim light.
The room was almost completely dark except for the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the curtains.
Juho's features looked sharper under it.
More tired too.
Over the past two weeks, his presence in this room had become disturbingly normal.
Three times a day.
Morning, afternoon, evening.
Always with a meal cart.
